Tonbridge Historical Society

Introduction

The Society was founded in 1960 to provide a focus for local people with historical interests. Unlike some similar societies it is concerned with national history and with archaeology, as well as with the history of Kent and the local area. The annual subscription is £12 for single membership (over 18), £20 for joint membership (any two members living at the same address), age 18 or under: free. New members are welcome. If you would like to join, please download and print the Application form or apply to the Hon. Sec. via the contact page.

A programme of lectures by invited speakers runs through the winter months. Meetings take place in the Riverside Room in the Angel Centre, Tonbridge, TN9 1SF usually on Thursday evenings. In addition there is an afternoon meeting, with tea, on a Saturday in November.

The society's Research Group explores varied aspects of the history of the town and its inhabitants, and has produced six publications.

A twice-yearly Newsletter is published with Society news, information, articles and pictures relating to the history of Tonbridge. You can download some recent Newsletters here.

The society also maintains extensive collections of archives and pictorial material, and is starting to build a collection of three-dimensional artefacts.

The local Archaeology Officer is a member of our Society and keeps a watching brief on building works in the area which may reveal historic material.

Lecture programme 2023-24 - programme

Thursday 14th September 2023 at 7:45pm
Colonel Stephens: The Father of Light Railways
Speaker: Doug Lindsay

Thursday 12th October 2023 at 7:45pm
Kent's Tudor Defences
Speaker: David Carder

Saturday 11 November 2023 at 2:30pm (with tea interval)
    1. Royal Parks at Greenwich
    2. Archaeology of Shorne Woods Country Park
Speaker: Andrew Mayfield
Booking essential for this meeting
A form, with details of charges,  is available from the secretary

Thursday 14th December 2023 at 7:45pm
Tom Crean: the Unsung Hero of Polar Exploration
Speaker: Michael Smith

Thursday 8th February 2024
Smallhythe Excavations
Speaker: Nathalie Cohen 

Thursday 14th March 2024, 7.45 pm
A227 Road from Gravesend to Tonbridge
Speaker: Bob Appleton

Thursday 11th April 2024 at 7:30pm
Annual General Meeting
Followed by The Worthies of Tonbridge
Speaker: Pat Mortlock

 

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